Joyce M. Gilroy

OLEAN - Joyce M. Gilroy, of 121 S. Third St., Olean, passed away Sunday (April 12, 2015) at Buffalo General Hospital after a brief illness.

Born on July 30, 1935, in Olean, she was a daughter of Frederick Ransom and S. Lorraine Phillips. At the age of 2, Kenneth Guinnip adopted her after his marriage to Joyce's mother, Lorraine.

Joyce was a graduate of Olean High School and later received a bachelor's degree in biology from St. Bonaventure University in 1964. She went on to pursue theological and pastoral studies.

She served others with joy, whether it was with her gift of hospitality in her home, such as cooking, or with the many volunteer organizations she was active in for years. Music was her primary passion, and she worked as a church organist or choir director for many of the congregations in the Olean area from the early 1970s until recent years. Often she was a substitute church organist, a piano and organ teacher to students, and a music director and musician for area theatrical groups.

Joyce volunteered in many capacities, including with the Olean Rehabilitation Review Board, the Olean Cancer Society as city chairman, the Olean School Board of Elections, the Cattaraugus County Board of Elections and the American Red Cross; and as a hospice volunteer to the terminally ill. She also helped organize the first board to serve with the Olean Community Theatre. She served the longest tenure with St. Mary of the Angels Church. In addition to her music ministry, she was a eucharistic minister, a volunteer with the funeral bereavement luncheons, a helper with the RCIA team and a teacher of CCD classes for ninth and 10th grade. She also served in many other quiet ways with the church.

She also served on the board of Friends of Good Music, sang with the Gospel Choraliers, played piano for musical benefits for Cuba Memorial Hospital, was a member of Friends of the Library and belonged to the Chamber Music Society of Olean. As a testament to her faithful service, she was the first layperson to be awarded the Ecumenical Award from Greater Olean Association of Churches. While working at St. Bonaventure Church, she was welcomed into the Third Order of St. Francis, in which she also helped as a director.

Surviving are 11 children, Anne Parks of Olean, Brenda Gilroy of Gaithersburg, Md., Cheryl (Scott) Jacobson of Endicott, William (Margaret) Gilroy Jr. of Olean, Garry Gilroy of Olean, Martha Patton of Gaithersburg, Stephen Gilroy of Olean, Joseph Gilroy of Olean, Mary Fusco of Jamestown, Christina Malone of Olean and F. Peter (Emily) Gilroy of Allegany; 29 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; a brother, Fred Ransom of California; a sister, Cynthia Kane Alsbrook of Indiana; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by three grandsons, Michael R. Parks Jr., Louis Fusco and Gabriel Gilroy; a granddaughter, Brittany Malone; and a son-in-law, Michael R. Parks Sr.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Road, Olean. Funeral services will be held Friday (April 17, 2015), beginning with a prayer service at 9:15 a.m. in the funeral home. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 10 a.m. in St. Mary of the Angels Church. The Rev. Gregory Dobson, pastor, will be the celebrant. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the American Red Cross or to HomeCare & Hospice, 1225 W. State St., Olean, NY 14760. Online condolences may be expressed at www.oleanfuneralhome.com.